Marina Bay is the Singapore of postcards: Marina Bay Sands with its ship-shaped SkyPark, the Merlion, the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum and the Esplanade's spiky domes, all around one calm bay. Most of it is free to walk around, and the best of it happens after dark. Here is what to do, in the order a day here usually flows.
What is the best way to see Marina Bay?
On foot. A promenade of about 3.5 km loops around the bay, linking the Merlion, the Esplanade, the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands, with views in every direction. Start in the late afternoon, catch sunset from a viewpoint, and finish with the evening light shows.
Is the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark worth it?
For the view, yes. The SkyPark Observation Deck is on level 56 of Hotel Tower 3 and looks over the bay, the city, Gardens by the Bay and the ships in the strait. Marina Bay Sands lists off-peak hours from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, with an adult ticket of S$35, and peak hours from 5 pm to 10 pm, with last entry at 9.30 pm.
Sunset slots sell out first, so book online. The famous rooftop infinity pool is for hotel guests only; the observation deck is the public way up. From the deck at night you also look down on the Spectra show.
When is the Spectra light and water show?
Spectra is a free 15-minute outdoor show of fountains, lights, lasers and music on the water at the Event Plaza in front of Marina Bay Sands. It runs every evening at 8 pm and 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, with an extra 10 pm show on Fridays and Saturdays.
Watch from the steps of the Event Plaza for the full effect, or from the Merlion side of the bay for the skyline behind it.
Where is the Merlion?
The Merlion stands in Merlion Park beside One Fullerton, at the mouth of the Singapore River. The 8.6-metre statue, half lion and half fish, spouts water into the bay with Marina Bay Sands directly across the water, which makes it the classic photo spot. It is busy all day; early morning and late evening are calmest.
What is inside the ArtScience Museum?
The lotus-shaped museum at Marina Bay Sands hosts changing exhibitions where art meets science and technology, plus Future World, a permanent space of interactive digital art that is popular with children. The building, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is worth seeing from outside even if you skip the exhibitions.
Is the Singapore Flyer worth it?
The Singapore Flyer is a 165-metre observation wheel on the east side of the bay. One rotation takes about 30 minutes and gives a slower, wider view than the SkyPark, including the gardens, the Formula 1 circuit and the anchored ships. It suits families and anyone who prefers a seat to standing on a deck.
What else is there to do around Marina Bay?
- Helix Bridge: a curving pedestrian bridge inspired by the shape of DNA, lit up at night, linking the Esplanade side to Marina Bay Sands.
- Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay: the spiky "durian" domes host concerts and often free outdoor performances by the water.
- Gardens by the Bay: behind Marina Bay Sands, with the free Garden Rhapsody show at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm. See our Gardens by the Bay guide.
- Marina Barrage: a grassy rooftop on the dam, east of the gardens, for picnics and sunset views of the skyline.
- Lau Pa Sat: a Victorian market hall a short walk from the bay, with satay grills on the street outside in the evening.
How do you get to Marina Bay?
Bayfront station, on the Circle and Downtown lines, opens into Marina Bay Sands. Marina Bay station serves the North-South, Circle and Thomson-East Coast lines, and Raffles Place station on the North-South and East-West lines is closest to the Merlion. See getting around Singapore for paying with a contactless card.
Facts checked October 2026. Opening hours, show times and ticket prices are set by each attraction and can change; check before you go.
